Elastic cushion for a footwear item, footwear item having such an elastic cushion

ABSTRACT

Provided is an elastic cushion for the disposal on a textile footwear item. The cushion, in a state when disposed on the sole of a foot, on the side that faces the foot has a shape that is complementary to the arch of the foot. Also provided is a footwear item from a textile material, having at least one cushion as above described that is disposed on the footwear item.

The invention relates to an elastic cushion for the disposal on atextile footwear item, and to a footwear item from a textile material,having at least one elastic cushion that is disposed on the footwearitem.

Textile footwear items which on account of the use of dissimilarknitting techniques and/or knitting materials have regions of dissimilarmaterial thicknesses so as to support a foot and to thus avoid defectivefoot positions are known from the prior art.

Publication DE 10 2007 024 758 A1, for example, discloses a legwear itemhaving a pronation support in the region of the sole so as to counteractany hyperpronation of a foot. The legwear item is preferably knitted,and the pronation support preferably comprises a knitted plush fabric.

By way of the production of support regions as knitted fabrics only arelatively minor material thickness and material strength can beachieved in a reliable manner and without compromising the wearingcomfort. On account thereof, the supporting effect of such supportregions is minor, and only slightly defective foot positions can beavoided.

Publication EP 2408324 B1 describes a textile footwear item having a gelcushion which is linked to the footwear item by means of seams. By wayof the use of a gel cushion, a stronger supporting effect can beachieved than with a knitted fabric. However, by way of the fastening bymeans of seams the disadvantage that the gel cushion cannot be removed,for example for cleaning the footwear item results. Furthermore, the gelcushion cannot be replaced in order for the footwear item to be adaptedindividually to a user.

Publication U.S. Pat. No. 1,741,340 A discloses an orthopaedic sockhaving a cushion which can be inserted into a pocket on the foot sole atvarious positions and can be stitched to said pocket or be fixed theretoby way of a releasable adhesive agent. Without the use of an adhesiveagent there is the risk of the cushion sliding out of position withinthe sock and thus not correcting a defective foot position or evenamplifying the latter. However, the preparation of the sock becomesimpractical and complicated for the user when an additional adhesiveagent is used.

Publication DE 20 2007 001 072 U1 describes a protective and supportingelement for stockings and stockings that are provided therewith. Acushion can be shaped so as to be complementary to a part-region of ahuman foot, in particular to the toe or heel region. The element can bestitched, welded, or releasably connected, for example by way of ahook-and-pile tape, to the stocking. In the case of the element beingstitched or welded, the disadvantage results again here that saidelement cannot be separated from the stocking. By contrast, a releasableconnection by way of a hook-and-pile tape is complex for the user andoffers only an inadequate protection against the element sliding out ofposition in relation to the stocking.

Therefrom results the technical object of achieving a device forsupporting a foot against defective foot positions, which can beproduced in a cost-effective manner and be applied in a simple andreliable manner. This object is achieved by an elastic cushion accordingto claim 1 and by a footwear item according to claim 7. Advantageousembodiments are derived from the dependent claims.

The elastic cushion according to the invention for the disposal on atextile footwear item, in a state when disposed on the sole of a foot,on the side that faces the foot can have a shape that is complementaryto the arch of the foot.

A footwear item in the context of the present application is understoodto be such clothing items which are worn on a human foot, for example,common stockings, socks, or the like. This in particular includes alsosuch stockings or socks which do not fully enclose a foot since saidstockings or socks have openings, for example in a heel and/or toeregion.

If the elastic cushion is disposed on the footwear item, said elasticcushion can support the foot in relation to a ground or a shoe and thuscounteract a defective position. Elastic means that the cushion underthe loads that arise in the use thereof can be elastically deformed. Onaccount thereof, the cushion can adapt to the shape of the foot andabsorb impacts that act on the foot, on account of which the wearingcomfort is increased and the risk of injury by excessive loads isdecreased.

When the cushion, in a state when disposed on the sole of a foot, on theside that faces the foot has a shape that is complementary to the archof the foot, the arch of the foot in terms of the physiological shapethereof is supported thereby in an optimal manner, on account of whichthe formation of a pes planus is prevented, for example. Thecomplementary shape furthermore ensures that the cushion, when the footis being pressed against a shoe, for example, is automatically held inthe envisaged position of said cushion in the foot arch without havingto be fixed in a complex manner.

The cushion, in a state when disposed on the sole of a foot, can have ahallux ball clearance at the hallux ball of the foot, and/or a heelclearance at the heel of the foot. The cushion can in particular bedesigned such that said cushion in the longitudinal direction of thefoot extends in a region between the heel and the hallux ball withoutbearing on the heel and/or on the hallux ball. The heel and the halluxball in the case of a physiologically shaped foot are the maintransmission regions for the weight of a standing or walking human ontoa ground. When a cushion fills the foot arch without propping up theheel and/or the hallux ball, a particularly secure footing on the groundand a simultaneous support of the foot arch is achieved on accountthereof. Furthermore, unnecessary loads on the cushion are avoided suchthat the service life of said cushion is increased. Moreover, a cushionhaving a hallux ball and/or a heel clearance, said cushion in thedisposal on the sole of the foot lying substantially within the footarch, in particular with an optimal support of the foot arch, can beused by a user in the normal shoes of the latter without the shoesbecoming too tight on account of the cushion. A particularly effective,simple and comfortable application results on account thereof.Additionally or alternatively to the clearances mentioned, afifth-toe-ball clearance can be provided at the fifth-toe ball.

The cushion, in a state when disposed on the sole of a foot, can have anelongate depression that extends from the hallux ball to the heel on theside that faces the foot. The cushion, by way of the depression, can bebrought to bear on the foot arch in a particularly simple manner.

The cushion, in a state when disposed on the sole of a foot, can have anelongate bead that extends from the hallux ball to the heel on the sidethat faces away from the foot. A particularly stable support of the footarch is enabled by the bead.

The cushion, in a state when disposed on the sole of a foot, can have afirst peripheral region, on the inside of the foot, that tapers towardsthe outside and/or is curved towards the foot. By way of a curvaturetowards the foot, the cushion can effectively support the foot up to theinternal periphery of said cushion.

The cushion, in a state when disposed on the sole of a foot, can have asecond peripheral region, on the outside of the foot, at the side of thetoes, and/or at the side of the heel, that tapers towards the outside.Peripheral regions that taper towards the outside have the advantagethat the transition from the cushion to any surroundings can be designedso as to be substantially stepless. Load peaks in terms of the footand/or the cushion in regions of steps are avoided on account thereof.Consequently, the wearing comfort and/or the service life of the cushionare/is increased by the absence of pressure points on the foot.

The surface of the cushion can comprise at least one portion that isadhesive in relation to the footwear item. An adhesive portion isdistinguished in that said adhesive portion is releasably fixed to thefootwear item when said adhesive portion is pressed onto the footwearitem with a force that can be applied by a user without technical aids.On account thereof, the user can securely attach the cushion to thefootwear item in a simple manner such that the cushion remains in thecorrect position in order for the supporting function of said cushion tobe reliably fulfilled. Furthermore, the cushion can also be separatedagain from the footwear item, for example for the footwear item and/orthe cushion to be cleaned and/or for the cushion to be replaced. Onaccount thereof, the cushion and the footwear item can be used for along time, and the footwear item can be adapted to the individualrequirements of a user by replacing the cushion.

The adhesive portion, in a substantially residue-free manner, can bereleasable from the footwear item. Substantially residue-free means thatno residues such as, for example, remnants of adhesive, which couldrestrict the use of the footwear item without the cushion or togetherwith another cushion remain on the footwear item after the cushion hasbeen removed from the footwear item.

The cushion can comprise at least one protective film and/or protectivesheathing that are/is releasably attached to the cushion so as tosubstantially completely cover the adhesive portion. It is prevented bythe protective film and/or protective sheathing that foreign matter, forexample dust, fluff, and/or dirt, adheres to the adhesive portion and onaccount thereof potentially compromises the adhesive capability and/orcauses contaminations. In order for the cushion to be attached to afootwear item, the protective sheathing and/or protective film is atleast partially removed from the cushion in order for the adhesiveportion to be exposed. When the cushion is separated from the footwearitem again, the protective sheathing and/or protective film can bereattached completely to the cushion in order for said cushion to beprotected against contamination until said cushion is reused.

It is in particular possible for precisely two protective films to beattached to the cushion, wherein a first protective film is attached tothe side of the cushion that faces the foot, and a second protectivefilm is attached to the side of the cushion that faces away from thefoot. On account thereof, one protective film can be removed in orderfor the cushion to be attached to a footwear item, while the otherprotective film remains on the cushion in order to protect that side ofthe cushion that is not connected to the footwear item againstcontamination.

The cushion can comprise at least one composite material, one gas, oneliquid, one gel, in particular one silicone gel, one aerogel, and/or onefoam. On account of the use of the materials mentioned, the elasticityof the cushion can be set in a wide range that is expedient forsupporting a foot. The elasticity of the cushion can be set inparticular by way of a gel, for example a silicone gel, such that saidcushion is sufficiently firm in order to effectively support a foot, onthe one hand, and sufficiently soft in order to be comfortably worn on afoot, in particular without pressure points being formed, on the otherhand. A composite material, for example a fiber-reinforced plastic,offers advantageous combinations of material properties that are notattained by other materials, for example a high mechanical stability andsimultaneously low weight.

The cushion can comprise a basic material, the surface thereofpreferably being at least in portions adhesive in relation to thefootwear item. The material of which the major proportion of the cushionis composed is referred to as the basic material. When the basicmaterial is adhesive in relation to the footwear item, a cushion havingan adhesive surface can be produced from a single material, on accountof which the production is particularly simple and cost-effective. Thisis possible, for example, by using a gel as the basic material. Theadhesive property of the surface of the basic material can be a resultof the production process of said basic material on the one hand, andcan be suppressed in portions in particular by a, for example chemical,plasma-based, and/or thermal, surface treatment. On the other hand, theadhesive property can also be induced by way of a surface treatment ofthe basic material.

The cushion can be composed of a homogeneous basic material. Ahomogeneous basic material is distinguished in that said basic materialhas the same, in particular viscoelastic, material properties in theentire cushion. A cushion from a homogeneous basic material can beproduced in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

The cushion can comprise a wash resistant basic material. “Washresistant” means that the basic material is washable, in particularmachine-washable, under the same conditions as the footwear item,without being damaged on account thereof. In particular, the entirecushion can be wash resistant. On account thereof, the cushion and thefootwear item can be washed together, this enabling a simple andeffective cleaning of the cushion and thus a long useful life.

The cushion can comprise a number of regions of dissimilar viscoelasticproperties. Regions of dissimilar viscoelastic properties can differfrom one another in terms of their viscosity, plasticity, and/orelasticity. By way of regions of dissimilar viscoelastic properties afoot can be supported dissimilarly in the individual regions so as tocounteract even complex defective foot positions.

The regions of dissimilar viscoelastic properties can be formed bydissimilar materials, with respect to their viscoelastic properties,preferably composite materials. The use of dissimilar materials, forexample gels of dissimilar hardness, can adjust the support of a footvirtually as desired, in order to counteract a wide variety of defectivefoot positions.

The regions of dissimilar viscoelastic properties can be formed from thesame basic material which preferably comprises a number of regions ofdissimilar viscoelastic properties, for example by way of a dissimilarprocessing of the regions. The properties such as elasticity, viscosity,and/or density can be set, for example, by thermal processing orcompressive processing. The effort and costs in terms of production arereduced by the use of the same basic material.

The cushion can have a number of chambers, wherein an exchange of fluidsbetween the chambers is at least impeded, and the chambers preferablycontain a plurality of fluids having mutually dissimilar viscoelasticproperties. Regions of dissimilar viscoelastic properties can begenerated by chambers that are filled, for example, with a gas or aliquid, in a matrix from a homogeneous basic material that can beproduced in a cost-effective manner. In particular, cushions fordifferent application types can be produced in a common productionprocess by way of filling the chambers in a dissimilar manner. When anexchange of fluid is possible between the chambers, the viscoelasticproperties of the cushion, on account thereof, during usage can adaptdynamically to the respective use situation. For example, when a foottreads, rolls over, and pushes off a fluid can flow in each case intodifferent regions and, on account thereof, can support the foot in adynamic manner. Furthermore, shock damping can be implemented by way ofa fluid that in an impeded manner flows from a stressed region into anunstressed region. In the context of a construction that is as simple aspossible, the exchange of fluid can also be suppressed. In particular,the cushion can be composed of one gel and have a number of gas-filledchambers which are in each case capable of being filled with a fluid bya user. In this way, the user can adapt the viscoelastic properties ofthe cushion to his/her requirements in a simple manner. The filling canbe performed, for example, with the aid of a valve and/or a syringe.

The cushion can have a number of clearances, preferably for receivingreplaceable inserts having dissimilar viscoelastic properties. Theclearances can be designed, for example so as to be continuous from theside of the cushion that faces the foot to the side of the cushion thatfaces away from the foot, so as to enable a ventilation of the foot andto thus dissipate excessive heat and/or humidity from the foot. By wayof inserts of dissimilar viscoelastic properties, a user can adapt theviscoelastic properties of the cushion in a simple manner to changingrequirements, for example to the development of a defective footposition in the course of the treatment thereof, or to different usageprofiles, such as running sport or everyday work.

The cushion can have a surface that at least in portions is roughenedand/or knobbly, in order for the grip on the footwear item to beimproved and/or to effect a foot massage when the cushion is used.

At least one elastic cushion according to the invention is disposed on afootwear item according to the invention from a textile material.

The at least one cushion can be fixed, preferably adhesively bonded,stitched, and/or welded to the footwear item. By a fixation to thefootwear item it is ensured that the cushion, when the footwear item isworn on a foot, is located in the correct position relative to the footso as to support the latter in an optimal manner. On account thereof,the footwear item can be applied in a reliable and safe manner.

The at least one cushion can be connected to the footwear item so as tobe releasable in a non-destructive manner. On account of a connectionthat is releasable in a non-destructive manner, the cushion can beseparated from the footwear item without the cushion or the footwearitem being damaged. On account thereof, the cushion and the footwearitem can be cleaned separately from one another in a simple manner. Itis furthermore possible for only the cushion or only the footwear itemto be replaced, for example when either is damaged or worn or does notmeet the requirements of the user, and for the other part to continue tobe used. Material and costs are saved, and waste is avoided, on accountthereof.

The footwear item can comprise a holding device for mounting the cushionon the footwear item, wherein the holding device preferably comprises ahook-and-pile fastener element and/or a cavity for receiving thecushion. The cushion can be attached to the footwear item in aparticularly secure manner with the aid of a holding device. Thehook-and-pile fastener element can be conceived, for example, forattaching the cushion directly to the footwear item or to a strap thatcan be placed around the foot.

The cavity can be delimited by the material of the footwear item and bya planar material that is fastened, preferably adhesively bonded,stitched, and/or welded to said material of the footwear item. Theplanar material herein can in particular likewise be composed of thematerial of the footwear item, for example in a reinforced embodiment.The footwear item can be produced in a simple and cost-effective mannerby using the same material. The cushion can be particularly securelymounted by a reinforcement. The cavity can be embodied, for example, asa pocket that is attached to the footwear item, in particular to theexternal side.

The cavity can have at least one opening for removing the cushion fromthe cavity. On account thereof, the cushion can be removed from thefootwear item in a simple and non-destructive manner. Alternatively, thecavity can also be configured so as to be closed in order for thecushion to be fixed to the footwear item as well as possible.

An opening width of the at least one opening can be smaller than acushion width of the cushion that, in a state in which the cushion isdisposed in an unstressed manner in the cavity, lies parallel with saidopening width, wherein the opening width is larger than or equal to thecushion width in a compressed state of the cushion. On account thereof,the cushion in a non-stressed state cannot slide through the opening andout of the cavity, on the one hand. On the other hand, the cushion canbe removed from the cavity by a user or be inserted therein when theuser herein compresses the cushion along the opening width. The openingwidth is preferably aligned such that the cushion, when the footwearitem is being worn on a foot, is not compressed along the opening width.On account thereof, the cushion cannot slide through the opening and outof the cavity even during the usage of the footwear item. In the case ofan arrangement of the cushion on a sole of a foot, the opening width canbe aligned so as to be parallel with a plane of a sole of a foot, forexample.

The cushion can be disposed on an external face or on an internal faceof the footwear item. The cushion on an external face is readilyaccessible, in particular also in a state of the footwear item in whichthe latter is worn on a foot, for example in order for the cushion to becleaned, replaced, or modified. By contrast, the cushion on an internalface, in a state of the footwear item when the latter is worn on a foot,can be invisible from the outside such that a visually appealing overallimpression is achieved. Furthermore, the cushion on an internal face isbetter protected by the footwear item from damage by external influencesthan on an external face.

The invention will be described hereunder by means of exemplaryembodiments which will be explained in more detail with the aid of thefigures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary cushion according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic section through an exemplary footwear itemaccording to the invention; and

FIG. 3a, b show a schematic illustration of the cavity on an exemplaryfootwear item according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary cushion 30 accordingto the invention. The cushion 30 is illustrated such as the latter canbe disposed on the sole of a left foot. The cushion 30 in the halluxball region of the foot has a hallux ball clearance 50 (indicated bydashed lines) and in the heel region of the foot has a heel clearance 51(indicated by dashed lines). The illustrated cushion 30 furthermorecomprises a first peripheral region 54, on the inside of the foot, whichin relation to the cushion 30 tapers towards the outside and curvestowards the foot such that a shape that is complementary to the arch ofthe foot results on the upper side of the cushion 30, facing the foot.The upper side of the cushion 30 in the example illustrated comprises anadhesive portion 31 which in particular can fully occupy the upper sideof the cushion, said adhesive portion 31 being for fastening the cushion30 to a footwear item. The illustrated cushion 30 is composed, forexample, from a homogenous basic material in the form of a gel, thesurface thereof, for example on account of a surface treatment at leastin the region of the adhesive portion 31, being adhesive. The upper sideof the cushion furthermore has an elongate, substantially rectilineardepression 52 (indicated by dashed lines) which extends from the halluxball region to the heel region. An elongate, substantially rectilinearbead (not visible) extends opposite the depression 52 on the lower sideof the cushion that faces away from the foot.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic section through an exemplary footwear item 1according to the invention. The footwear item 1 is designed as a sockand is shown in a state in which said footwear item 1 is worn on a foot(not illustrated). The section illustrated in relation to the foot is ina sagittal plane. The footwear item 1 in a sole region of the foot has acavity 41 in. the form of a pocket in which an elastic cushion 30 islocated. The illustrated cushion 30, on the upper side thereof thatfaces the foot, has a shape that is complementary to the arch of thefoot, and in the hallux ball region has a hallux ball clearance 50, andin the heel region has a heel clearance 51. On account of this shape,the cushion 30 can conform to the arch of the foot in an optimal mannerso as to support the latter without there being any risk of the cushion30 sliding out of position in relation to the foot.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the cavity 41 on an exemplaryfootwear item 1 according to the invention. The illustrated cavity 41has an opening 42 for removing and/or introducing the elastic cushion30. The opening has an opening width b1. The cushion 30, in a state inwhich the cushion 30 is disposed in the cavity, has a cushion width b2that lies in the same direction as the opening width b1. The cushionwidth b2 in a non-stressed state of the cushion 30 (FIG. 3a ) is largerthan the opening width b1 such that the cushion 30 cannot pass theopening 42. By contrast, the cushion width b2, in a state in which thecushion 30 is compressed along the cushion width b2 (FIG. 3b ), issmaller than or equal to the opening width b1. On account thereof, thecushion 30 can be introduced into the cavity 41 and/or removedtherefrom, for example in that said cushion 30 is compressed by a user.The cushion 30, without any compression along the cushion width b2, canbe securely held in the cavity 41.

Features which are illustrated in the context of one example can also becombined in a different manner according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 Footwear item-   30 Cushion-   31 Adhesive portion-   41 Cavity-   42 Opening-   50 Hallux ball clearance-   51 Heel clearance-   52 Depression-   54 First peripheral region-   55 Second peripheral region-   b1 Opening width-   b2 Cushion width

1. An elastic cushion for the disposal on a textile footwear item,wherein the cushion, when disposed on the sole of a foot, on the sidethat faces the foot has a shape adapted to be complementary to the archof the foot.
 2. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the cushion,when disposed on the sole of a foot, has a) a hallux ball clearance atthe hallux ball of the foot, and/or a heel clearance at the heel of thefoot; b) an elongate depression adapted to extend from the hallux ballto the heel on the side that faces the foot; c) an elongate bead adaptedto extend from the hallux ball to the heel on the side that faces awayfrom the foot; d) a first peripheral region, on the inside of the foot,adapted to taper towards the outside and/or is curved towards the foot;and/or e) a second peripheral region, on the outside of the foot, at theside of the toes, and/or at the side of the heel, adapted to tapertowards the outside.
 3. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein thesurface of the cushion comprises at least one portion that is adhesivein relation to the footwear item, wherein a) the adhesive portion,preferably in a substantially residue-free manner, is releasable fromthe footwear item, and/or b) the cushion comprises at least oneprotective film and/or protective sheathing that are/is releasablyattached to the cushion so as to substantially completely cover the atleast one adhesive portion.
 4. The cushion according to claim 1, whereinthe cushion a) comprises at least one composite material, one gas, oneliquid, one gel, one aerogel, and/or one foam; b) comprises a basicmaterial, the surface thereof preferably being at least in portionsadhesive in relation to the footwear item; c) is composed of ahomogeneous basic material; and/or d) comprises a wash resistant basicmaterial.
 5. The cushion according to claim 1, having a number ofregions of dissimilar viscoelastic properties, wherein a) the regionsare formed by dissimilar materials, preferably composite materials; b)the regions are formed from the same basic material which particularlypreferably comprises a number of regions of dissimilar viscoelasticproperties; c) the cushion has a number of chambers, wherein an exchangeof fluids between the chambers is at least impeded, and the chambersparticularly preferably contain a plurality of fluids having mutuallydissimilar viscoelastic properties.
 6. The cushion according to claim 1,further comprising a number of clearances, for receiving replaceableinserts having dissimilar viscoelastic properties.
 7. A footwearcomponent from a textile material, having at least one elastic cushionthat is disposed on the footwear item, according to claim
 1. 8. Thefootwear component according to claim 7, wherein the at least onecushion is fixed to the footwear item.
 9. The footwear componentaccording to claim 7, wherein the at least one cushion is connected tothe footwear component so as to be releasable in a non-destructivemanner.
 10. The footwear component according to claim 7, wherein thefootwear item comprises a holding device for mounting the cushion on thefootwear item.
 11. The footwear component according to claim 10, whereinthe cavity is delimited by the material of the footwear component and bya planar material that is fastened, bonded, stitched, and/or welded tosaid material of the footwear component.
 12. The footwear componentaccording to claim 10, wherein the cavity has at least one opening forremoving the cushion from the cavity, wherein a) an opening width of theat least one opening is smaller than a cushion width of the cushionthat, in a state in which the cushion is disposed in an unstressedmanner in the cavity, lies parallel with said opening width; and b) theopening width is larger than or equal to the cushion width in acompressed state of the cushion.
 13. The footwear component according toclaim 7, wherein the cushion is disposed on an external face or on aninternal face of the footwear component.
 14. The footwear componentaccording to claim 8, wherein the at least one cushion is adhesivelybonded, stitched or welded to the footwear component.
 15. The footwearcomponent according to claim 10, wherein the holding device comprises ahook-and-pile fastener element and/or a cavity for receiving thecushion.